Colin Edwards' Boot Camp Instructor to race in the Marquez Superprestigio by staffSaturday, January 04, 2014

This just in from Colin Edwards II:

Two-time World Superbike champion, Colin Edwards II, is soon bidding farewell to one of his own. In a few days, an instructor of the Texas Tornado Boot Camp will hitch a flight for Spain, steel shoe in hand.

Hailing from Decatur, TX, AMA Pro flat-track competitor, Merle Scherb, is entered and set to race in the "Superprestigio" dirt-track event. The race will be in held in Barcelona, Spain at the Palau Sant Jordi on Montjuic, January 11th, 2014.

"I'm really excited," says Merle Scherb, South Central Amateur National Flat-Track Champion, 2001, and 3rd overall in the 05' AMA Sportster Performance Championship. "I've raced dirt track my whole life and I'm super stoked to get to see what it's like to race in Spain." Scherb goes on to say, "It's an honor to race in Marc Marquez's event. Bradley Smith definitely hooked me up with more than I could ask for. I can't wait to represent the United States and the Texas Tornado Boot Camp!"

With some twenty-four years of racing experience to his name, the 28 year old (AMA national number 78) will soon embark on his first European racing venture. Scherb will be meeting with friend and Monster Yamaha Tech 3 MotoGP rider, Bradley Smith.

"I have to say I am very excited to be taking part in the Superprestigio Dirt Track event," says Bradley Smith. "Dirt track is my new found love after visiting the TTBC with Colin Edwards for the last couple of years." Smith goes on to say, "As with all racers we are competitive and it's nice to be back racing after already 5 weeks since Valencia GP. I'm excited to be joined by Merle Scherb for the event, he will be teaching me a few ?thangs' in the 2 days testing we have planned before the race."

Beginning its time in the 1990s, the Superprestigio served as an end of the season road race showcasing America's best talent against the Europeans. Legendary names in road racing such as John Kocinski, Kenny Roberts Jr., and the Texas Tornado, Colin Edwards II, each made their European debuts here.

"Yeah, I raced the Superprestigio in ?92," says Edwards. He goes on to say, "KRJR and I went over on TZ 250's and it was held at Jarama; good fun and a hell of a learning experience. I'm excited to hear Merle is heading over to represent the Boot Camp and have some fun. We all wish him the best and we'll be watching."

Resurrected by current world MotoGP champion and Repsol Honda HRC team rider, Marc Marquez, the invitation-only Superprestigio has been transformed into a premier dirt-track event. A devoted flat-tracker during his off-season training, Marquez has been the driving force behind its revival.

It isn't asphalt racing that lures the world's best riders to this event anymore; now the attraction is the sound and feel of single cylinder four-stroke machines and a quarter-mile dirt oval.

Riders will compete indoors in the former Olympic arena. The event will feature three classes; the Junior category (18 and under), Open category, and the Superprestigio category. The races will be broadcast live on Spanish television.

Reserved only for riders currently competing in MotoGP, Moto2 and Moto3 classes, the Superprestigio category will showcase the three 2013 World Champions; Marc Marquez, Pol Espargaro, and Maverick Viņales.

Scherb is one of only two Americans invited to this event. Accompanying him will be the newly crowned 2013 AMA Pro Flat-Track Grand National champion, Brad Baker.

Since the premier category is strictly for GP racers, Scherb and Baker, amongst others, will compete in the Open category; a class for experienced national caliber racers represented from around the world.

The Americans will face a slew of European talent while in Barcelona. Challenging the two will be some of the UK's top flat-track racing prodigies, talent from the emerging Spanish flat-track racing scene, and of course, the very notable name of Kenny Noyes, former Moto2 racer and AMA singles champion.

The format of the races stays true to the traditional ways of American dirt-track. Heat races, last chance qualifiers, and a main event will ensue throughout the evening. However, the "spin" of this particular event is that the top four riders from each category, Open and Superprestigio, meet for a final showdown. European Grand Prix racing's elite meets American dirt-track professionals.